8 Perfect Gift Ideas for an INTJ

Trying to find the perfect gift for an Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Judging (INTJ) individual? INTJs (aka Masterminds) are known to be rational free thinkers who love theorizing about the world through a strategic lens. But the typical poker face of an INTJ makes it difficult to figure out what they really want. Here are 8 ideas to point you in the right direction:

1. Subscription to The Economist – Stimulate the mind with weekly updates from The Economist, full of trenchant analysis of world events and their underlying economic drivers. Dinner table discussions are bound to get much more interesting.

2. Franz Kafka: The Complete Stories – This Czech INTJ author is best known for his story The Metamorphosis, where Gregor Samsa transforms into a monstrous vermin. But chances are you haven’t read some of his other intriguing works such as The Mouse Folk or The Hunger Artist.

3. BÖHM noise cancelling headphones – Give the INTJ a gift he was born to appreciate. Noise-cancelling headphones will put him into a happy cocoon of introversion.

4. Diplomacy (board game) – When it’s time for an INTJ to interact with others, small talk is out of the equation. But a strategy game is just the thing that will keep this personality type engaged with others and at his or her best. Diplomacy touches on an INTJs strengths: strategic thinking, connecting the dots and a global orientation.

5. Sherlock complete set – This classic BBC series featuring the famous British detective plays out like an INTJ’s internal fantasy. In fact, the dream-like investigative sequences may lull one into a sense of actually being there, in the mind of Mr. Sherlock. It will be watched over and over.

6. Swiss army knife – Ever practical, the INTJ will appreciate a gift that is designed with the utmost efficiency of space for purposes ranging from cutting cloth to picking teeth.

7. 7 Wonders (board game) – Play the mastermind as leader of one of the seven key ancient cities. Heavy on strategy over luck. It can be completed in 30-45 minutes, giving the INTJ just the right dose of social interaction.

8. Book: What If? – What if the all the sun’s light was bundled into a narrow laser beam? This book by the author of the popular xkcd blog answers burning scientific questions that you never thought to ask. It takes the absurd to its logical conclusion, making for a real page turner.